Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Probiotic yoghurt drinks and supplements don’t live up to their promises, according to an EU watchdog. They claim to boost your immune system and help digestion. It concluded there is no scientific proof that products such as Yakult have any health benefits at all.

The watchdog dismissed more than 800 claims regarding the increasingly popular probiotic drinks, yoghurts and whey proteins, vitamins, supplements, ruling that suggestions the products could strengthen the body’s natural defences and reduce gut problems were either too general or could not be proven.

The supposed health benefits of probiotic goods enable manufacturers to sell them at much higher prices than normal yoghurts and milkshakes.

Earlier this year, the Advertising Standards Authority watchdog banned a TV advert for Actimel, manufactured by Danone, which suggested it stopped children falling ill. It ruled that the promotion was ‘misleading’ and its claim that the drink was ‘scientifically proven to help support your kids’ defences’ was not supported.

Danone has subsequently dropped most of its claims that Activia yoghurts and Actimel drinks boost the immune system. But other probiotic firms claim the European watchdog has been unnecessarily rigorous.

Last night, Yakult issued a statement saying the rejected claim was just one aspect of its research. A spokesman added: ‘The claim was supported by well-designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled human studies.‘In response to the EFSA opinion, the company wishes to discuss the evaluation process and this outcome with EFSA.‘With the benefit of further guidance, the company anticipates a positive EFSA opinion in due course.’